Unleashing Sin - A. M. Wilson Page 0,81
me.
Chapter Twenty
Sin
While Shelby and I grabbed changes of clothes, Richard and Elias prepared for our mission. The cars, my black SUV and a junky nondescript Honda Accord we purchased just this morning, were outfitted with GPS and dash cams recording both inside and out. Tiny Bluetooth earbuds were obtained for each of us so we could communicate without messing around with our phones or relying on unsecured walkie-talkie channels. Shelby changed into basic blue jeans, black tennis shoes, and a long-sleeved black sweatshirt while I wore my standard outfit of dark wash jeans, black tee, and combat boots.
“Are you sure I’ll be okay in this?” She gestures down the length of her slim body.
I smirk. “We aren’t going for full-on assassins, baby. Sturdy, casual attire will do.”
She pops her hip out and glares.
“And you won’t be doing much more than sitting in the car anyway,” I tack on as an afterthought, injecting enough tone so she knows it’s also an order. Fuck knows this can go sideways a hundred different ways, but if I have to keep her in my peripheral the entire time and make sure she doesn’t go rogue, it’s fucked before we even begin.
She paces Elias’s kitchen, the place her shattered mug and soul once lay at my feet what feels like eons ago. She’s cute all riled up. It’s not the same fear as before. It’s anxiety, sure, but also strength and retribution.
Elias and Richard enter the kitchen, each outfitted similarly in jeans and boots. I look at the men who have had my back since day one and refuse to let me down.
“We ready?”
I get a couple of nods.
“I’ll be heading to Sinclair’s. I won’t be of much use, but if you boys get into trouble, I can have an officer sent. The GPS is ready to go on my laptop, so I’ll set up as soon as I get there and be conferenced in with you both.” With that, Richard heads out. After what happened with my father, he’s less than eager for another mission, but the old man doesn’t have it in him to say no.
“How about you?” I ask Elias. He’s regarding Shelby with a look of respect and gives me a raised eyebrow.
“Ready as ever. I have the shit Honda as my ride. I’ll be waiting in the parking ramp off 7th until I hear from you.”
“And we’ll be circling the blocks starting with 4th Street and up to 9th. We’ll make four passes, but if we don’t see anyone, we may park and wait a while before trying again.”
Elias gives me a chin lift. He checks his weapon and tucks it in a holster beneath his jacket.
“This is for you.” He crosses the room to the kitchen counter by the fridge and offers a small teal rectangle to Shelby. “It’s a stun gun.”
The repressed growl rumbles my chest like thunder.
He ignores me with a chuckle and goes on to explain. “You slide this switch here and then press this round button.” He gives a test fire. A bright burst of light and loud crackle spits through the air, sending Shelby back a foot. He grins. “This is a safety pin. Wear this strap around your wrist. If anything goes south and someone tries to take it from you, it’ll be disabled.”
“Thanks. I hope I don’t need it.” She grimaces as she plucks the box from his hand.
“Anything else?” Impatience rises, and I remind myself to be cool.
“No. Just…” Elias steps closer and snags me in a one-armed grip. With a smack on my back, he retreats. “Be careful. Both of you.”
“Yeah. Same, brother.” My eyes hold the gratitude I can’t properly express out loud.
Elias pulls Shelby into her own hug, this one longer and warmer. He releases her with a gentle push and kisses her quickly on the crown of her head.
“Stay safe. I know he can be a jackass but listen to Sin. See you out there.” With a final clap on my shoulder, he’s gone.
“Ready to roll, blossom?”
Her alabaster skin glows beneath the kitchen lights. The column of her throat works over a forced swallow. She lifts her chin, injecting herself with bravery and steel.
“I’m ready.”
***
“What do you see?” Elias’s voice filters through the Bluetooth in my ear.
“We’re coming down 7th now. So far, no sign of anyone Shelby recognizes.” I feel her eyes burn on me as I navigate the SUV down one road and then up the next, careful not to go too fast or slow,